Mavs Trade Predictions Ahead of Thursday's NBA Deadline
The Dallas Mavericks aren't at all opposed to making major moves at the NBA trade deadline.
Two years back, they sent Kristaps Porziņģis to the Washington Wizards. Last season, they made a bold move for Kyrie Irving.
So, what could this front office have cooking for a follow-up? Maybe something substantial again.
They still haven't cracked the top tier of championship contenders, but they won't abandon that pursuit so long as the Luka Dončić-Kyrie Irving duo remains intact. This roster clearly needs some upgrades around that pairing, though, so let's predict what could be in store for Dallas.
Grant Williams Gets Shipped Out
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Outside of drafting bouncy big man Dereck Lively II, the Mavs' biggest external acquisition last offseason was Grant Williams.
Acquired via a three-team sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs, Williams was supposed to perk up this frontcourt with defensive versatility, shot-making and high-level playoff experience. However, he hasn't made a discernible difference on the defensive end, and his shot has gone ice cold (33.3 percent from three since the start of December). And that postseason experience won't be relevant if he can't help Dallas actually reach the playoffs.
The Mavs are reportedly on the lookout for a "tall 4, ideally with two-way ability and solid spot-up shooting," per The Athletic's Tim Cato. Outside of the tall part, that's essentially the exact description of what Williams was supposed to provide.
Clearly, Dallas is less than thrilled with what he's brought, and at this point, it feels likely he'll be in different locker room by the week's end.
The Mavericks Stay Away from Andrew Wiggins
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The Mavs have 60 percent of a potential championship-caliber lineup with their star guards and Lively. That just leaves the two forward spots to figure out.
While they appear more interested in a 3 than a 4, chances are they'll have eyeballs on any forward who contributes at both ends.
Andrew Wiggins used to do that. The Golden State Warriors don't win the 2021-22 title without his lockdown defense and solid support scoring.
His impact has plummeted since, though, and it now feels like the Warriors could unload him by the deadline. The Mavericks have reportedly shown "the most interest" in him at times, per Action Network's Matt Moore, but they'll ultimately pass. Wiggins would be an interesting restoration project for the right time to take on, but Dallas needs more of a sure thing.
Dallas Reunites with Dorian Finney-Smith
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It's certainly possible the Mavs take a big swing at the forward spot, perhaps by spoiling our previous prediction and rolling the dice on Wiggins or splurging on someone like Jerami Grant or Kyle Kuzma.
We don't see Dallas going quite that big. Not when former friend of the franchise Dorian Finney-Smith, who spent his first six-plus NBA seasons with the Mavericks, is both available and an obvious fit with this group.
"The Mavericks have long held interest in a reunion with Finney-Smith who is a close friend of franchise star Luka Dončić," HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported.
Finney-Smith, who was sent out in last season's deadline deal for Irving, is one of the better three-and-D forwards in basketball. He can shapeshift his 6'7", 220-pound form to silence scorers of nearly all sizes and play styles, and he has a 37-plus three-point percentage for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
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